Professional Learning from International Collaboration: Mutual Benefits from a Transformative Teacher Education Initiative in Malaysia

This paper identifies the professional learning outcomes for the partners in an international collaboration between the School of Education at the University of Hertfordshire and two teacher training institutes in Malaysia. This was a capacity building project financed by the Malaysian Government to develop expertise in the writing and delivery of undergraduate rather than diploma level teacher training. The data collected is part of ongoing research into the nature and development of the collaborative relationship. (Warren & Rawlings 2008). The data took the form of questionnaires and interviews. The partnership approach was one of equality based on mutual professional respect. This led to knowledge creation and therefore professional learning for all parties rather than knowledge transfer from the ‘experts’. Key success factors included the ability to get on with each other, our shared philosophical base, the development of an atmosphere in which creative criticism can take place, professional respect and a commitment to spending time jointly planning, evaluating and reflecting. We believe this model of working can be applied to other situations as international activity for universities moves towards strategic partnerships and alliances.

Warren, V. & Rawlings, B. (2008) Collaboration not Imposition: Reflections on the development of a B.Ed course provided by a UK university in Malaysia. Unpublished paper at 4th QS-APPLE Conference Seoul, S. Korea. 9-11 July

Val Warren

Head of International Development, School of Education, University of HertfordshireHatfield, Hertfordshire, UK

Val Warren is Head of International Development in the School of Education at the University of Hertfordshire and Programme Director for the B.Ed Primary Mathematics (Malaysia). She joined the university in 1990 from the Advisory Service. At the university she has taught on Initial Teacher Education, Continuing Professional Development and Education Studies programmes. Roles and responsibilities have included Programme Director for Continuing Professional Development, Head of Academic Group (a senior management position) and Project Manager for the Implementation of Blended Learning. As Programme Director for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Flexible Route) she led and managed the writing and delivery of an innovative, online teacher training programme. Her research activities include international collaboration, comparative education and the implementation of blended learning.

Bernice Rawlings

Associate Dean, Academic Quality Enhancement, Faculty of Humanities, Law and Education, University of HertfordshireHatfield, Hertfordshire, UK

Bernice Rawlings is Associate Dean, Academic Quality Enhancement, for the Faculty of Humanities, Law and Education at the University of Hertfordshire. She joined the university in 1993 after a career as a secondary school teacher in London and Hertfordshire, and gaining experience in the primary and further education sectors. At the university she has taught on a range of teaching and learning courses and until recently was Programme Director for secondary teacher training. In addition to her current role of Associate Dean she is also Head of Marketing and recruitment within the School of Education and acts as the Link Tutor for the B.Ed Primary Mathematics (Malaysia). She is engaged in research into the nature of collaborative relationships in international partnerships and widening participation in teaching.